Well, this is the first of three final entries of the Deeper Still prayer blog. How bittersweet. Bitter in that the Deeper Still conference is over and we no longer have the anticipation and excitement of its arrival, yet sweet because the conference is now a treasured memory to reflect back upon and ponder.
Reflect and ponder. Exactly what I want to do in this post. We must do so in order to allow the Word that we heard from God on Friday and Saturday to steep into us. We must ponder, think upon and ask the hard questions to ourselves and each other. We must allow what touched our Spirit to stir us into action. We can begin with talking and hashing it out amongst ourselves, but it ultimately must move from 'talking it out' to 'walking it out'. I loved Michelle Hick's post at the Deeper Still blog on this very thing. I encourage you to check it out.
So, shall we dig in and discuss?
Ephesians 1:19 states that we have 'his incomparably great power for us who believe.' The word power in this word means dynamite. Friday, as Kay Arthur delivered His message, it was as if dynamite had been ignited and sparks were a flying. Kay Arthur's delivery of God's Word was so infused with His power, that it testified to Eph. 1:19 filling and spewing forth in her life (can anyone give me an Amen?). She whipped around and moved with such energy as she spoke, you would have thought she was twenty-seven, not seventy-seven. Amazing, amazing it was.
Miss Kay challenged us to truly break free that weekend in Freedom Hall. She said that when you know the Truth, the Truth will set you free! She specifically talked upon the freedom and power that comes from knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves you. That he loved us so very much that He sent His son to die for us--that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. She talked about the depth of His love for us--that we as believers have the power within to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (Eph. 1:18).
She then moved on to the topic of sin...going on to say that we are living in a generation of silly women. That we are too entangled in the affairs of this life...that we no longer want to work or wrestle things out. Are you working for God? Are you living with passion? Passion comes from laying everything at His feet--everything.
Miss Kay quoted Ephesians 5:3-7: '3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.'
She went on to ask: Is there sin in your life? Does it make you doubt His love? Do you habitually sin? Is your habit of your life sin? Because no one who is born of God habitually practices sin, for such people practice lawlessness. She summed this up by saying that the majority of people in church are not born again...if the power of sin is not broken in your life than you are not His child.
...Sobering, sobering message...
Miss Kay concluded her message by explaining what a Biblical perspective of love is. She quoted 1 John 3:10: 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. Also quoting 'we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren' (1 John 3:16), 'let us love one another for love is from God' (1 John 4:7), 'Hope does not disappoint us because love of God has been poured out throught the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), and 'The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control (Gal. 5:22). She asked if we were going to believe, receive and embrace 1 John 5:1-5: 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.'
She concluded with 1 John 4:18: 'There is no fear in love because perfect love casts out fear and that fear involves torment,' and Romans 8:28: '28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose.'
Oh my goodness, Miss Kay is a Walking Bible. How apparent it is that her first love is her Lord and Savior! How inspiring, how convicting.
Miss Kay's teaching left me wrestling with the following questions: Am I characterized by being a silly woman, caught up in the culture? Do I have habitual sin in my life? Do I reflect Christ's love to others? Do I have the kind of love for others that lays down my life (i.e. my desires, wants, feelings, etc.)? What is keeping me from doing so? Is it due to selfishness? Is it due to fear? Why? I believe I desire to wholeheartedly live for Christ, but do I, really?
God's Word tells us that we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12b). Miss Kay's message was that kind of message for me. It made me really think about my life and whether it truly reflects the fruit of one who is a child of God. I hadn't heard such a message in a while--it's been a little too long, I think. It has given me a renewed sobering of spirit, for sure.
What about you? What convictions did Friday night's session stir up in you?
Oh, how very thankful I am to have teachers such as Kay Arthur in my life to challenge me and propel me forward in my walk with Christ!
Post #2 will rehash Priscilla Shirer's message on 'The Freedom that comes from a Sabbath rest'.
Until then--happy day!
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